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Second Chance, Bright Futures: Western Province Celebrates Hundreds of Educational Triumphs

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Western Province Graduates

In a region known for its vast landscapes and tight-knit communities, a wave of educational achievement is being celebrated. Over 840 individuals in the Fly River area of Western Province have successfully advanced or graduated through the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) program, marking a significant milestone for the province.

This achievement, made possible through a collaborative effort funded by the Sustainable Development Program (SDP) and implemented by the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF), in partnership with the Western Province Division of Education, is opening doors for people seeking a second chance at education in some of Papua New Guinea’s most remote locales.

Western Province Graduation Class

Among the many success stories, the journey of Marilyn Duwaba shines brightly.

A dedicated primary school teacher and a busy single mother of three in Kiunga, Marilyn recently celebrated a personal triumph: upgrading her Grade 12 results through FODE.

Over two decades after her initial schooling, Marilyn felt compelled to improve her GPA to meet new government standards for educators. The flexible nature of the FODE program allowed her to pursue this goal while continuing her vital work in the classroom.

Marilyn’s dedication culminated in a remarkable achievement in 2024; not only did she improve her GPA, but she was also recognized as the Dux of her class.

Reflecting on her success, Marilyn had this to say, “I was so excited that my effort had paid off. I feel that with this kind of opportunity in the community, we don’t have to stay at the same level; we can continue to advance ourselves and provide good opportunities for our families and contribute to our communities as well.”

Marilyn Duwaba at her Graduation in Western Province
Marilyn Duwaba, Grade 12 Dux Student at Western Outreach FODE (left)

Driven by her own experience, Marilyn is now encouraging others who may be hesitant to return to education.

“You don’t stop because it does not turn out right the first time,” she urged.

“If you want to achieve something then you keep going. Education does not end with a certain grade, we can keep upgrading ourselves so we can provide a better community for ourselves and our families.”

The graduation celebrations across Western Province underscored the strength of the partnerships driving this progress.

Representatives from local government, SDP, and KTF joined the festivities, including Western Provincial Education Advisor Mr. Charlie Buia, SDP Director of Education Dr. Brad Shaw, KTF CEO Dr. Genevieve Nelson, and KTF Head of Education Ms. Martha Bentley.

This initiative, fueled by the vision of SDP’s Gutpela Community Strategy 2025-2030, is forging a path towards a brighter future for Western Province.

Through the combined efforts of SDP, KTF, FODE, and the Western Provincial Division of Education, a growing number of empowered individuals are gaining the skills and qualifications needed to pursue employment and further education, building a stronger and more prosperous community for all.

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News

29 Australian Grants awarded to remote South Fly communities

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Man signing

Australia continues to play the big brother role in the Pacific with more grands to support communities in Papua New Guinea. 

This time, it’s the neighbouring South Fly District that shares the border with Australia’s Torres Strait. 

Twenty-nine (29) ward development committee representatives from eight wards in South Fly District, Western Province, signed grant agreements for certain community projects. 

The representatives gathered in Daru from 24 to 28 February for training and induction as part of their final preparations related to their respective PNG-Australia Partnership funded community and economic development grants.

Provincial Administrator Robert Alphonse Kaiyun, Australian High Commission representative Ms Christine Charity and other dignitaries attended the event.

Australian High Commission representative Ms. Christine Charity and Western Provincial Administrator Robert Alphone Kaiyun during the grant agreement signing

Mr Kaiyun congratulated the grantees and thanked Australia, “I would like to acknowledge our close long-term partnership with Australia to deliver on Western Province’s vision to strengthen economic development and build resilient communities. 

I expect the groups receiving these grants to take ownership and work to make their projects succeed.”

Ms Charity was pleased to be in Daru to meet some of the grant recipients in person, and applauded the achievements of the eight community groups from Morehead and Oriomo-Bituri LLGs.

“I am privileged to join the ward and community representatives here in Daru to celebrate today’s signing of the first eight grant agreements, which will support egg production, sawmills, and farm equipment projects.”

“These grant projects will support local communities and people to have money in the pocket and food on the table. 

This is the Western Provincial Government’s top priority, and Australia is proud to be working hand-in- hand and side-by-side with the people of Western Province to reach some of the most remote and hard-to-reach communities.”

In 2024, technical working groups co-chaired by the Australian High Commission and Provincial and District Administrations selected 20 community development and 10 economic grant projects through a competitive application process.

Successful applicants from the Oriomu-Bituri, Morehead, Forecoast Kiwai and Fly Kiwai LLGs demonstrated that their projects would benefit the community, including women and people with disabilities, and contribute 10 per cent of project material costs. 

Local-level governments were closely involved with the applications and committed to assisting grantee communities with part of their contributions.

Mr Sampson Tago, Chairman of Sibidiri Community’s Poultry Management Committee said, “The project will greatly assist in ensuring food and financial security because it is an investment to boost our community’s economic activity.”

Signing on behalf of the Waidoro community, Ward Development Committee Chairman Mr Bazi Kazipam also expressed his happiness, “The Lucas mill project will help us improve our living conditions and develop our forestry sector through creating economic growth and supporting other local and inclusive initiatives.”

The first 8 grants signed were for egg production, sawmills, and farm equipment projects.

The remaining 22 grants for egg production, women’s resource centers, community halls, and bridges will follow in the coming months.

During the grant period, the grantees will continue to receive technical support and skills development to successfully manage and implement their grants.

The High Commission did not reveal the total amount of grand awarded, but each grant depended on the project costs that were submitted.

Successful applicants from the Oriomu-Bituri, Morehead, Forecoast Kiwai and Fly Kiwai LLGs with representatives from the Western Provincial Government and Australian High Commission
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Agriculture

Sapuka Villagers Focus on Rice Farming

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Igu Kisua and OTDF CEO Havini Vira holding Sapuka Rice

The village of Sapuka in the South Fly District of Western Province has embarked on a journey to achieve food security through rice farming in their area.
Last month, the community witnessed the official launch, of a food security program, aimed at empowering the people to cultivate rice and drought tolerant crops at the village level.

This initiative has gained momentum, with more than 100 farmers producing milled rice at the Community Seed Bank Centre (CSBC) since November 2022.
Igu Kisua, a community representative said, the villagers were used to rely on the forest for sustenance, but with the introduction of rice farming in their area, their lives have been transformed.

The locally produced rice has not only met the needs of the village, but it has also contributed to feeding nearby villages along the Fly River.
However, the limited capacity of the milling equipment, resulting in delays have been a challenge for farmers.

The village representative said, there is a need for a larger and more robust milling machine.

He further emphasized that downstream processing plays a pivotal role in motivating farmers.

Fresh Produce Development Agency Executive Manager, John Kewa also expressed his anticipation to support food security through a collaborative partnership with the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).

“We are actively working towards deploying our officers to Sapuka Village this year to provide technical assistance on the ground.” He said.

OTDF Chief Executive Officer Havini Vira acknowledged the community’s efforts in taking ownership of the food security program, which will be rolled out across the province.

He further emphasized the significance of such community-driven initiatives, as a pathway to sustainable community development.

Related: https://insidepng.com/rigo-rice-supports-domestic-rice-demand/

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Education

Electronic Library for CHW School

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Rumginae School of Community Health Workers (CHW), in Western Province, recently celebrated the opening of its new E-library facility.

It was completed at the cost of K73 000, co-funded by Vega Industries, an Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) supplier, and Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF).

The interactive e-library has over 30 million resource materials that will benefit the students and staff.

School Principal Amos Kupaloma in his remarks, said the shortage of community health workers and access to health services has always been a challenge for Western Province.

“We are trying to raise the standards of health facilities, and the school’s aim is to prepare more Community Health Workers to serve in these health facilities,” Kupaloma said.

The Principal said training competent CHWs with the vital skills and knowledge, will contribute to quality and cost-effective Primary Health Care services to rural and urban communities, thus fulfilling the PNG government’s National Health Plan.

He was grateful to the school’s Board of Directors, and development partners who have contributed to having this facility completed.

OTML Board Chairman Dr Roger Higgins, who was the guest of honour, was pleased that developments were taking shape in rural areas, and the school is using technology to enhance teaching and learning.

“I commend the school administration for bringing the CHW School this far, since its inception in 1976, and the current development will be valuable in teaching and training future professionals in medicine,” said Dr Higgins.

Dr Higgins encouraged the school to look after the facility and make good use of it.

The new E-library is part of its capacity building, to enable the CHW training school to become a Nursing College.

The school intends to commence its Nursing Diploma program in 2023.

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National Elections

PRP Leader Retains North Fly Seat

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James Donald, re-elected for North Fly Open

People’s Reform Party Leader, James Donald has been re-elected for North Fly Open in the 2022 National General Election.

Donald was declared around 5:40pm (Thursday 28th July) by Returning Officer, George Papin at the Provincial Counting Centre in Kiunga.

He polled a total of 12,648 passing the absolute majority of 10,871+1 after the 20th exclusion.

First runner-up was independent candidate, Sam Bob Auwi with 9,092 votes.

MP Donald thanked all the voters for re-electing him as their leader.

“Let’s work together to develop our district and bring services that will benefit us all.” he said.

The North Fly MP signed his writ yesterday after being declared.

Donald is the first Western Province Member of Parliament to be declared and will be serving his second term in Parliament. He won the seat in 2017.

Meanwhile the PRP leader has indicated that he won’t be joining any political camps at the moment and will wait for other declarations to be made.

He said together they will move as possible coalition partners to form the next Government.

Meanwhile, elimination process for South Fly, Delta Fly and Middle Fly Districts are still in progress with declarations expected to be made over the weekend.

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